German train strike begins

German freight train drivers began a three-day strike today that will spread to passenger services as they step up pressure in a pay dispute.

The GDL union called freight drivers out on strike at noon (11am Irish time).

Drivers of passenger trains will follow from 2am (1am Irish time) tomorrow.

Deutsche Bahn hopes to keep as many as two-thirds of long-distance passenger trains running, and up to half of scheduled regional trains. States in the former East Germany, where GDL is strongest, were likely to be hardest hit.

The strike will end at 2am (1am Irish time) on Saturday.

The move marks an escalation by GDL after it staged a 42-hour strike against freight services last week, but left passenger trains running. Previously, it had staged several strikes against commuter trains.

GDL wants a pay increase for train drivers and is insisting that they be given a pay deal separate from that given to other railway employees.

It has rejected a 4.5% rise that Deutsche Bahn agreed with two other unions that represent a broader range of railway workers.

Germany’s main industry lobby group, the Federation of German Industry, urged GDL to end the strike and return to negotiations.

It argued that many companies have no alternative to rail transport.